US Stance on Crimea is 'Declaration of War', Region's Representative Says

Moscow launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24 after Kiev intensified attacks on the people's republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.

President Vladimir Putin noted that Russia's aim is to end the eight-year-long war being waged by Kiev against the people of Donbass.

Russia has been carrying out precision strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure since October, in retaliation for terrorist attacks on Russia organized by Kiev, including the fatal blast against the Crimean Bridge.

According to Ukrainian authorities, about 50% of the country's energy infrastructure had been damaged. Kiev has urged Ukrainians to reduce their use of electricity and resorted to regular blackouts.

Over the past months, air raid alerts have been sounded in Ukrainian regions every day. At the same time, Ukrainian forces continue intensive attacks on the Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Russia, resulting in massive civilian casualties.

Crimea's Permanent Representative to the Russian President Georgiy Muradov called the US statement on the peninsula "a declaration of war," which Washington instructs to wage with other people's hands.

"Kirby's statement on Crimea is a declaration of war on Russia, which the US instructs to wage with other people's bloody Nazi hands. I believe that without a direct reminder to Washington of our cudgel of nuclear deterrence, which rises above the stupid head of the Washington madmen, it will not do," Muradov told Sputnik.

On Friday, US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said that Washington recognizes Ukraine's right to plan and conduct military operations in Crimea, since it considers the peninsula to be Ukrainian territory.

Crimea became part of Russia in a referendum held in March 2014 in which nearly 96% of Crimeans voted for accession to Russia. Ukraine still considers the peninsula to be its own territory that was illegally occupied by Russia. Moscow has repeatedly stated that the decision made by the Crimean people was in full compliance with international law and the UN Charter.

Lugansk Militia Says Ukrainians Lost Up to 90 Troops During Day of Fighting

"The enemy suffered losses in manpower and hardware during an offensive launched by the LPR militia in the past day. Up to 90 personnel, three tanks, five armored personnel carriers, two artillery systems, and 16 specialized vehicles were destroyed," the LPR militia said on social media.

Half of Kiev Residents Remain Without Heating and a Third Without Electricity, Mayor Says

"Water supply has been restored to all residents of the capital. Half of Kiev residents already have heating, and we are working to restore it to all residents of the city. Two-thirds of Kiev have been reconnected to power supply," Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram.

Klitschko added that blackouts were still in place as there was a significant power generation deficit, and rationing would continue.

MoD Holds Briefing on Special Military Operation in Ukraine

• Russian Forces performed massive missile strikes on the military control systems, military-industrial complex and the energy facilities of Ukraine that provide them with high-precision, long-range air and sea-based weapons. The aim of the strikes was achieved and all assigned targets were hit;



• Russian troops destroyed the radar stations of four Ukrainian S-300 missile system in the Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye regions;



• The Russian Army eliminated up to 40 Ukrainian troops, as well as destroyed a Ukrainian armored combat vehicle and four other vehicles near Kupyansk;



• Russian troops eliminated and wounded up to 30 Ukrainian servicemen, as well as destroyed two armored combat vehicles and two pick-up trucks near Krasny Liman;



• Russian Forces eliminated more than 30 Ukrainian troops, as well as destroyed seven vehicles near Donetsk;



• The Russian Army eliminated up to 35 Ukrainian troops, as well as destroyed two armor carriers in the DPR;



• Russian troops eliminated two Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups in the DPR;



• Russian troops hit 53 Ukrainian artillery units at their firing positions;



• The Russian Army hit a temporary deployment point of foreign mercenaries near Krasny Liman;



• Russian air defense destroyed two Ukrainian UAVs, as well as intercepted three Uragan rockets and four HIMARS rockets.